Dvorák: In Nature's Realm; Carnival; Othello; Scherzo Capriccioso

On this CD:

1. In Nature's Realm (V prírode), concert overture, B. 168 (Op. 91)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

2. Carnival (Karneval), concert overture, B. 169 (Op. 92)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

3. Othello, concert overture, B. 174 (Op. 93)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

4. Scherzo capriccioso for orchestra, B. 131 (Op. 66)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley

Customer Reviews:

breakdown by cd........2007-01-14

CD1-7:SYMPHONIES 1-9

CD8:PIANO CONCERTO

CD9:VIOLIN CONCERTO & CELLO CONCERTO

CD10-11:REQUIEM

CD12-13:STABAT MATER

CD14:PIANO TRIOS OP.90 "DUMKY" & 21

CD15:PIANO TRIOS OP.65 & 26

CD16:PIANO QUARTETS

CD17:PIANO QUINTETS

CD18:STRING QUINTETS

CD19-20:MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

C21:SERENADE/HAUSMUSIK

CD22-31:THE COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

CD32:SLAVONIC DANCES OP.46 & 72

CD33:PIANO DUET SLAVONIC DANCES

CD34:PIANO DUET LEGENDS FROM THE BOHEMIAN FOREST

CD35:PIANO WORKS

CD36-37:RUSALKA

CD38-40:SYMPHONIC POEMS

I'm not a music expert.......2005-08-25

I don't know too much about music. I own over 700 cds, but I don't play music and I don't have much experience with this music. My only point of reference was the ninth symphony, seeing as every other piece in this box set was new to me. It sounds fine, nothing wrong with it as far as I can see.

Now, here's what you'll get in this box set, seeing as Amazon does not give it a description. 40 cds! no joke, you get 40 cds in this box set. It features:
1. Complete symphonies
2. Complete symphonic poems
3. Cello concerto
4. Piano concerto
5. Violin concerto
6. Requiem
7. Stabat Mater
8. Slavonic Dances
9. Complete String quartets
10. Chamber music
11. Piano Works (solo and duet)
12. Rusalka

As far as I can tell, the only things missing are The Spectre's Bride and Jacobin. Seeing as it is 40 cds, i have not had an opportunity to listen to it, however what i have heard i have been quite satisfied with.

Dvorák: In Nature's Realm; Carnival; Othello; Scherzo Capriccioso

Average customer rating:

Dvorak: "In Nature's Realm",Vernon Handley, conductor
Great musical performances spoiled by short timing
An excellent find
Lively Dvorak from an unusual source!

Dvorák: In Nature's Realm; Carnival; Othello; Scherzo Capriccioso

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000AE9
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

In Nature's Realm, Op. 91
Carnival, Op. 92
Othello, Op. 93
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66

Customer Reviews:

Dvorak: "In Nature's Realm",Vernon Handley, conductor.......2006-03-01

In Nature's Realm is a not only a rarely recorded composition, it is even rarer that it is grouped with Carinval and Othello, the other pieces that Dvorak composed with it as a set. These three works, plus the Scherzo Capriccioso displays Dvorak's range, from lyrical and at ease, to the romping, to tragic intensity to the lively and vigorous. Vernon Handley's interpretations are well paced, attuned and sparkle with clarity.

Great musical performances spoiled by short timing.......2005-07-04

I don't argue with the other reviewers that have given this CD five stars for the music and the performances. Vernon Handley and the Ulster Orchestra show they can take on Dvorak's romantic tone poetry with the temperament needed to realize these portraits of nature, Otello and absolute music.

My quibble -- and it is a large quibble -- is that this exquisitely manufactured CD contains only 52 minutes of music and continues to be marketed by Chandos as a full price CD for a list price of $17.98. That makes the music-value quotient substantially lower, in my opinion, since there is plenty of space to include one or two more Dvorak pieces. Had they done that, this would clearly have been a five star selection. As it is, the music alone is great but overpriced for what is offered.

The notes to this issue provides some background on all the music and a paragraph on the performers, who together have taken on many of Britain's greatest composers and a few others worldwide. Handley is clearly one of today's better conductors, with an ear and temperament for music of the 19th and 20th centuries that renders his performances always of the first rank. I have heard him perform equally well with British, Russian and, now, Czech music. He is clearly at home with a very wide repertoire and the evidence on this CD is more proof of his connection to both the orchestra and the romantic period.

However, I cannot in good faith recommend you spend full price on a recording with so little musical contents. If you can acquire this from an Amazon.com vendor for $14 or less, it is quite a buy. It is a wonderful musical selection in any event.

An excellent find.......2001-06-24

An excellent recording. I have two other recordings of the carnival overture, both associated with recordings of the 9th symphony. However, it was not until recently that I discovered there were 2 other pieces that went with it. I was very pleased to find this recording, and the overall quality of the performance is excellent. A surprising, but pleasant find. I strongly recommend this recording to any true Dvorak fan.

Lively Dvorak from an unusual source!.......1999-05-05

Although the "Carnival Overture" is very familiar and frequently recorded, the other pieces on this collection are comparatively rare. However, I came away from this disc thinking that all this music was first-rate Dvorak. I especially liked Handley's version of "In Nature's Realm," which I found particularly atmospheric. This music may not be as famous as Symphonies 8 + 9, the Cello Concerto, and the Slavonic Dances, but this disc is a must for all true Dvorakians.

Dvorak: Symphonies 1-9 / Orchestral Works

Average customer rating:

ambitious and comprehensive
An astonishing bargain on the used market
Hard to beat

Dvorak: Symphonies 1-9 / Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

The Wild Dove, Op.110
Sym No.1 in c: I. Allegro
Sym No.1 in c: II. Adagio Molto
Sym No.1 in c: III. Allegretto
Sym No.1 in c: IV. Finale: Allegretto

Tracks:

Sym No.2 in B flat, Op.4: I. Allegro Con Moto
Sym No.2 in B flat, Op.4: II. Poco Adagio
Sym No.2 in B flat, Op.4: III. Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.2 in B flat, Op.4: IV. Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco Alla Breve
My Home (Domov Mui) Ov, Op.62: Andante/Maestoso/Quasi Andante/Allegro Vivace

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.10: I. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.10: II. Adagio Molto, Tempo Di Marcia
Sym No.3 in E flat, Op.10: III. Finale (Allegro Vivace)
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op.66
Carnival Ov, Op.92

Tracks:

Othello, Op.93: Ov
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: I. Allegro
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: II. Andante Sostenuto E Molto Cantabile
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: III. Scherzo: Allegro Feroce
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: IV. Finale: Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

Czech Ste, Op.39: I. Allegro Moderato
Czech Ste, Op.39: II. Allegro Grazioso
Czech Ste, Op.39: III. Allegro Giusto
Czech Ste, Op.39: IV. Andante Con Moto
Czech Ste, Op.39: V. Presto
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: II. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: III. Scherzo: Allegro Scherzando
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto

Tracks:

In Nature's Realm Ov, Op.91: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: I. Allegro Non Tanto
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: II. Adagio
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: III. Scherzo
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: I. Allegro Maestoso
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: II. Poco Adagio
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: III. Scherzo: Vivace
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: IV. Finale: Allegro
Sym No.8 in G, Op.88: I. Allegro Maestoso
Sym No.8 in G, Op.88: II. Poco Adagio
Sym No.8 in G, Op.88: III. Scherzo: Vivace
Sym No.8 in G, Op.88: IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

American Ste, Op.98b: I. Andante Con Moto
American Ste, Op.98b: II. Allegro
American Ste, Op.98b: III. Moderato (Alla Polacca)
American Ste, Op.98b: IV. Andante
American Ste, Op.98b: V. Allegro
Sym No.9 in e, Op.95 'From The New World': I. Adagio - Allegro Molto
Sym No.9 in e, Op.95 'From The New World': II. Largo
Sym No.9 in e, Op.95 'From The New World': III. Scherzo (Molto Vivace)
Sym No.9 in e, Op.95 'From The New World': IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Customer Reviews:

ambitious and comprehensive.......2007-01-26

I bought this set because I was looking for early Dvorak, which is surprisingly difficult to find. As a collection of such hard-to-find material, this set of recordings is fabulous. I am already enamored of the fourth, listening to it over and over. The more I listen to this set of CDs, the more I like it. The technical quality of the playing, though overall not quite up to the level of the top world-class orchestras, is nonetheless excellent and in many ways more authentic of Dvorak and his world -- plus there are some really strong performances especially on the woodwind side.

An astonishing bargain on the used market.......2006-07-29

I was listening to Libor Pesek's complete Dvorak symphonies, which unlike most is generously filled with miscellaneous tone poems, overtures, and suites. The Czech Phil. sounds like they are to the manner born, but technical execution is spotty--this is an orchestra to appreciate for its local color rather than virtuosity. Pesek has middle-of-the-road ideas about the symphonies. The thin recorded sound isn't ideal, but the tangy Czech woodwinds are miked very close, which is appealing. There's no single performance to rival the best on CD, but everything is quite agreeable.

Then I noticed that on the used market this whole set sells for under $10--bargain alert. One could easily live with thwese readings and enjoy them al the more at such a steal.

Hard to beat.......2002-11-23

This set is a compilation of Pesek's recording cycle for Virgin between 1987-1995.

As a set of the complete symphonies it competes with Gunzenhauser (Naxos), Kertesz (Decca), Kubelik (DG), Jaarvi (Chandos) and Rowicki (Philips) In the UK this set is the cheapest way to buy a complete Dvorak cycle (there is a compilation box from Brilliant slightly cheaper but has the performances split unsuccessfully between three conductors : Paavo Jarvi, Kosler and Menuhin). However, in reviewing the set I took no account of price because, quite simply this set stands up well against all of the above.

First a note on the works. Dvorak's early symphonies are rarely performed and until recently hard to find on record. They dont reflect the maturity of style and understanding of symphonic form that one associates with 7, 8 and 9 but amongst them there are some real gems that it is a pity to neglect. Most notable is how clear Dvorak's orchestral voice is right from the start. Apart from strong and very obvious early influences from Wagner, Brahms and Beethoven what one hears most are pre-echoes of orchestral techniques used more successfully in the later works. Listening to the symphonies chronologically one is aware of the gradual maturing of form with the occasional marked change in approach such as from 4 - 5 when Dvorak's friendship with Brahms has clearly had effect. Needless to say, all the symphonies are orchestrally rich, colourful and dynamic with passages of great excitement and moments of sublime beauty.

Pesek's cycle alternates between his two favorite orchestras, 1,3,7,8 & 9 performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (of whom he is currently conductor in residence) and 2,4, 5 & 6 the Czech Philharmonic (of whom he used to be conductor in residence). This alternation of orchestras adds an extra dimension to the cycle that I found quite refreshing. Pesek's approach has always been to let the orchestra have the freedom to express what he calls its "invisible spirit". "..you can hardly come to any orchestra and make them only play your way - it's a mutual exchange of experience..". Indeed this cycle gives one the chance to contrast the "invisible spirits" of the RLPO and CPO whilst still being aware of a unifying approach from Pesek.

The first 3 symphonies suffer perhaps from having too many ideas jostling for attention. It seems as if Dvorak is so excited with the infintie range of colours his orchestral paintbox can offer that he cant help but try out as many original and unusual scorings as possible. There are also many and frequent changes of dynamic, resulting in a kind of "crescendo-fatigue" Where Jaarvi tries hard to bring out an overall architecture that quite simply isnt there, Pesek, instead, revels in the many different textures and contrasting dynamics spotlighting certain passages for the inherent beauty they contain. I can think of no better approach for these early symphonies. With the fourth symphony however, Pesek now brings out the emerging sense of form as Dvorak reduces his orchestral palette in favour of more thematic development.

With Kertesz and Kubelik (and even the old Neumann on Supraphon) I was always aware of the shortcomings of the "middle" symphonies (5 & 6) feeling that they were "almost there but not quite". Under Pesek however, these symphonies exhibit a depth and maturity that gives me new respect. There is a relaxed confidence in his approach that makes us wonder why these works arent more played. There is much good music here and certainly I would put these particular performances at the top of my list.

When it comes to the "big three" (7, 8 and 9) there is so much competition in the catalogue that it would be impossible to pull out any one version and label it the best. Everyone has their own favorites (mine are Szell for 7, Kertesz for 8 and Barbirolli for 9). All I can say is the performances here are superb and cannot be criticised. Everything I look for in each performance Pesek has in spades. I may prefer Szell's third movement of the seventh or Barbirolli's opening to the ninth but this is countered by other aspects of the Pesek performances that are better in different ways. Most satisfying of all, having listened to Pesek guide me through the earlier symphonies, following his interpretation through into the last ones provides an insight and sense of completeness that any individual performance cannot achieve.

Finally a note on the recording. The CPO recordings (House of Artists, Prague) have slightly more ambience than the RLPO (Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool) which perhaps reinforces their "Czech" sound (memories of Supraphon!) but although the acoustic results in a slightly "fuller" sound it does not muddy the overall clarity of the excellent recording. The CPO recording of Symphony no 2 though was recorded in the Dvorak Hall, Prague and here there is slightly more reverberation. It's still within tolerable limits though. Overall the sound quality is excellent.

Tracks:

Allegro
Adagio Molto
Allegretto
Finale: Allegreto
Allegretto
Molto Moderato
Allegro Giusto
Molto Maestoso
Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Allegretto
Poco Adagio
Scherzo: Allegro Con Brio
Finale: Allegreto Con Fuoco
Allegro Con Moto
Allegretto Grazioso
Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
Andante Con Moto
Andante

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
Adagio Molto, Temp Di Marcia
Allegro Vivace
Allegro Non Tanto
Adagio
Scherzo: Furiant: Presto
Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante Sostenuto E Molto Cantabile
Scherzo: Allegro Feroce
Finale: Allegro Con Brio
Allegro Con Brio
Adagio
Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace
Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Andante, Con Moto
Andante Con Moto, Quasi L'istesso Tempo - Allegro Scherzando
Finale: Allegro Molto
Allegro Maestoso
Poco Adagio
Scherzo Vivace - Poco Meno Mosso
Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Adagio- Allegro Molto
Largo
olto Vivace
Allegro Con Fuoco
Sumphonic Variations, Op. 78

Tracks:

Allegro Agitato - Jeno Jando
Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Con Fuoco
The Water Goblin, Symphonic Poem, Op. 107

Tracks:

Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Romance For Violin And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 11 - Ilya Kaler
Mazurka For Violin And Orchestra, Op. 49 - Alexander Trostianski

Tracks:

Allegro - Maria Kliegel
Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Maria Kliegel
Finale: Allegro Moderato - Andante - Allegro Vivo - Maria Kliegel
Walderuhe For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 68/5 - Dmitry Yablonsky
Rondo For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 94 - Dmitry Yablonsky

Tracks:

No. 1 In C Major
No. 2 In E Minor
No. 3 In A Flat Major
No. 4 In F Major
No. 5 In A Major
No. 6 In D Major
No. 7 In C Minor
No. 8 In G Minor
No. 1 In B Major
No. 2 In E Minor
No. 3 In F Major
No. 4 In D Flat Major
No. 5 In B Flat Minor
No. 6 In B Flat Major
No. 7 In C Major
No. 8 In A Flat Major

Tracks:

Rhapsody, Op. 14
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3

Tracks:

The Noon Witch, Op. 108
The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
The Wild Dove, Op. 110

Tracks:

Moderato
Tempo Di Valse
Scherzo: Vivace
Larghetto
ale: Allegro Vivace
Moderato, Quasi Marcia - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Minuetto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Andante Con Moto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Allegro Molto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Notturno In B Major, Op. 40
Five Prague Waltzes
Polka In B Flat Major, Op. 53 A / 1

Tracks:

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Preludium (Pastorale)
Polka
Sousedska (Minuetto)
Romance (Romanza)
Fineal (Furiant)
Andante Con Moto
Adagio
onderato (Alla Polacca)
Andante
Allegro
Polonaise In E Flat Major
Festival March, Op. 54

Tracks:

King And Charcoal Burner, Overture
Prelude To Act 1
Prelude To Act 2
Ballet Music From Act 3
Overture
Prelude To Act 2
Infernal Dance From Act 2
Prelude To Act 3
Overture
Polonaise
Dmitrij, Overture
Armida, Overture

Tracks:

Vanda (Overture), Op. 25
In Nature's Realm (Overture), Op. 91
Carnival (Overture), Op. 92
Othello (Overture), Op. 93
My Home (Overture), Op. 62

Tracks:

Hussite Overture, Op. 67
Selma Seklak Overture, Op. 37
Dramatic Overture, Op. Posth
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66
A Hero's Son, Op. 111

Customer Reviews:

20 Hours of Dvorak at a Bargain Price.......2004-08-03

This 17-CD set collects together in one box all the published orchestral works of Antonin Dvorak. It's neatly done: each CD is in a paper envelope and there is a 51-page booklet (with knowledgable and helpful notes for each disc) all fitted into a cardboard box no thicker than that ordinarily used for a two-CD opera recording. All this music has been issued previously on separate discs or sets by Naxos and most of it is, if I'm not mistaken, still available that way. But this collection is one easy way to scoop up all of Dvorak's orchestral music at once. There is much music here that is almost never heard, certainly not in the concert hall and even on CD. For instance, I cannot recall ever seeing a recording (and I know I've never heard in performance) Dvorak's 'Intermezzi.' And the rarely-heard 'Legends' are nicely done here by Stephen Gunzenhauser and the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. Of course, the name of the orchestra tells you something: some of these performances were recorded before the breakup of Czechoslovakia into Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Yes, some of the recordings go back to the late 1980s. No matter - the sound is quite acceptable throughout.

There are numerous participants in these recordings, many of them orchestras in the Czecho-Slovak area, as well as the Polish National Radio Orchestra, the Russian Philharmonic and even London's Royal Philharmonic (in a smashing performance, with Maria Kliegel, sure one of our best current cellists, in the Cello Concerto). Conductors include Gunzenhauser, Antoni Wit, Camilla Kolchinsky, Dmitry Yablonsky, Michael Halasz, Zdenek Kosler, Libor Pesek, and Robert Stankovksy.

Obviously one wouldn't buy this set for the most familiar Dvorak pieces - the 'New World' Symphony, the Cello Concerto, the Slavonic Dances - if that was all one was interested in. There are too many fine performances of those already on the market. But how many of you have recordings of poorly known but top-drawer works like the 'Czech Suite,' the 'American Suite,' (it is fashionable to dismiss this suite, but it's actually one of Dvorak's best), or some of the orchestral music from his many operas--overtures to 'King and Charcoal Burner,' 'The Jacobin,' 'Kate and the Devil,' 'Rusalka'? All of these, and more, are here. I recently returned from a trip and the only music I took along was this box of Dvorak. I never got sated, or bored, by it.

I was also quite taken by the performance of one of my favorite pieces by Dvorak, his 'Wind Serenade,' here played by the Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists. And there are marvelous performances by Gunzenhauser and the Polish NRSO of 'The Noon Witch,' 'The Golden Spinning Wheel,' and (a particular favorite of mine) 'The Wild Dove.'

And then there's the super-bargain Naxos price. This is an easy recommendation for the music lover in the market for this specific collection of music.

Scott Morrison

Music Track:

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